Category Archives: State Legislature

Today was a rewarding day for “Religious Liberty” in the People’s House of South Dakota! As I sat in the House Gallery I could feel the anticipation building for a BIG WIN as Representative Steve Haugaard, of Sioux Falls, stood to ask for a positive vote on SB149, the ‘Faith-Based Adoption Agency Protection Act’. In the end…43 Representatives said “Yes” to this monumental piece of legislation with 20 opposing and 7 excused.

“Leave your religious beliefs at home.” You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it…..a lot. That doesn’t make it true or even desirable. Our forefathers came to the New World with theirs. Their religious beliefs and moral convictions were in the forefront of their minds as they forged the Declaration ofIndependence and the Constitution of the United States.

Much has changed since those moral visionaries signed those documents,but our Judeo-Christian heritage, our Biblically based religious beliefs andmoral convictions are unchangeable.

As of today 65 of 105 legislators have voted to pass Senate Bill 149 into law. Only the Senate’s Concurrence and the Governor’s signature remain to make it so. Respectfully – the Governor should sign it!

Chris Nelson at Catacomb Caucus

Why? Because SB149 stands firmly in support of the religious beliefs and moral convictions of privately owned non-profit adoption agencies. The law would ensure that the State of South Dakota may not coerce them to abandon their sincerely-held religious beliefs or moral convictions in their placement decisions and the ongoing need for placement of children in safe nurturing homes will be served. Let’s keep SB149 moving forward for the sake of our children and religious liberty!

This week’s Catacomb Caucus brought a familiar face to the front of the room as PUC Chris Nelson shared our morning’s devotional as we were once again led in song and closed in prayer. We also took the time to sign a “Thank You Card” to our Governor. It is a blessing to the 40 or so legislators, staff, lobbyists and guests, who meet each week for this spiritual time of encouragement and inspiration, to meet in the Governor’s large conference room. So collectively we say, “Thank You Governor!”

Today was a good day here at the People’s House. It was also good to welcome to the Capitol students and staff from two wonderful private Christian Schools from the opposite sides of the state. The first was Calvary Christian School of Rapid City. I am pictured here with one of their students and a personal friend, Faith Ellingson. I also had the blessing of meeting and speaking with some of the students from Volga Christian School, Volga, SD. This school, established in 1949, heralds Proverbs 22:65 as a text verse to what they are all about saying, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

We were grateful today to see THREE bills, supported by the FHA Action, make it now through both Chambers and are on their way to the Governor’s desk for his anticipated signature. They are:

House Bill 1118, an Act to eliminate the need to prove the use of force, fraud, or coercion in the human trafficking of minors. We believe that the scourge of human trafficking of minors must be eradicated and the elimination of this burden of proof will aid in the successful prosecution of those who would exploit young and impressionable youths. Today it passed on the Senate floor on a vote of 33 to 0.

Speaking of the dark side of Human Trafficking the FHA Action supported the passage of Senate Bill 102. It is An act to require that the name and telephone number of an organization fighting to end sex trafficking be given, in writing, to any woman seeking an abortion. It passed on a vote of 66 to 1 by the full House.

Lastly, Senate Bill 81, is an Act to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of powdered alcohol in South Dakota. This is a good bill which passed on the House floor today on a vote of 56 to 11.

On a lighter note I was excited to see that today was “School of Mines and Technology Day” at the Capitol. I took a moment, out of a very busy schedule, to have my photo taken with their school’s Mascot.

We are now into our final two weeks at this year’s 92nd SD Legislative Session. We were grateful when today the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed onto the Senate floor HB1118. Nation wide the issue of Human Trafficking is now off the back burner and onto the front burner and rightly so. HB1118 is a bill that will continue to protect the most vulnerable youth in our society – those under the age of 18 who have found themselves caught in the dark-entangled-web of Human Trafficking.

FHA Action Lobbyist Norman Woods and I have been busy promoting SB149, our ‘Faith-Based Adoption Agency Protection Bill’. We need your HELP in the passage of SB149 a bill that ensures that faith-based adoption agencies in South Dakota are free to continue placing children and making decisions that are consistent with their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions. The bill prevents the state from coming down with a “heavy hand” on any agency because that agency follows their convictions. Please contact your Representatives today and ask them to support SB149.

This afternoon at the Capitol a very special recognition took place in the House Chamber when Speaker Mickelson called to the podium Representative Dan Kaiser of Aberdeen and his family. His son, Jackson, a cancer survivor, received not one but two standing ovations from both the Chamber floor and a gallery of well wishers. Speaker Mickelson announced that Jackson may consider himself, from this day forward, an honorary legislator. Representative Kaiser took to the Speaker’s microphone and eloquently thanked the many from across the state who had kept his son in their thoughts and prayers last year as he struggled through the treatment program. This presentation by Speaker Mickelson was an encouraging, positive moment in the midst of some heavy legislative lifting.

The FHA Action applauds our Attorney General Marty Jackley’s statement supporting President Trump’s Rescinding of the Obama’s Administration’s Mandate Regulating Public School Bathrooms and Locker Rooms.

The last thing that should be on a student’s mind when going to school is whether their safety and privacy will be protected. That’s why the Family Heritage Alliance is glad common sense has prevailed and President Obama’s constitutionally challenged and dangerous mandate on schools regarding bathroom, locker room, and shower use has been rescinded.

Simply put, the federal government has no business regulating neighborhood school bathrooms.

Schools are able to provide a safe environment for all students – including transgender students – without compromising the security and privacy of other students. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration was threatening Districts with the loss of federal funds if they didn’t allow, for example, biological boys to use the girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms.

We are deeply grateful Secretary Betsy DeVos, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and the Trump Administration rescinded the mandate and are putting the safety of our students before a political agenda.

Now it’s crucial for all South Dakota school districts that changed their policies in response to the Obama administration’s threats to restore their original policies, which protected the privacy and safety of all students. The Family Heritage Alliance believes South Dakota schools would be better served by having a statewide policy that creates a baseline of privacy. Why? Because if the issue is left to each local school, then what will inevitably happen is legal groups will sue each school, one-by-one, that establishes a common sense privacy policy for their school. But if there is a statewide policy, it provides a shield to schools.

It was also great to meet up with former SD Representative and friend, Bill Peterson, at the Capitol this week. Bill serves as the Vice President/ Development and Foundation at Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota. His claim to fame today is that he’s married to SD Representative Sue Peterson.

Please follow the work of the FHA Action by regularly going to www.FHAaction.org and click on ‘Legislative Radar’ to view those bills and/or resolutions we are tracking.

Well, we are down to our closing two and a half weeks in this Legislative Session. Today is what’s called ‘Cross Over Day’ which simply means that all the bills and resolutions which have started in one chamber must cross over to the other chamber to be discussed and voted on.

Hot on our front burner is Senate Bill 149. This is an Act that would ensure that faith-based adoption agencies are free to continue placing children consistent with the agency’s convictions. Faith-based adoption agencies in SD are at risk of closing if the state or a state agency forces them to place children in homes that are inconsistent with their mission. We were thrilled when yesterday the full Senate voted on this bill and passed it on a solid vote of 22 yeas and 12 nays. Senator Solano of Rapid City, pictured here on the Senate Floor, introduced and carried this bill with a flare of excellence. Now, please join us in contacting your Representative today and ask for their support of Senate Bill 149 and thus protect our faith-based adoption agencies.

It was a treat this week for Norman and I to invite to dinner, at our Pierre residence, several friends and co-laborers of the Family Heritage Alliance. From left to right you will find: Linda Schauer (CWA State Director), Cindy Flakoll (CWA volunteer lobbyist), Norman Woods (FHA Action Lobbyist), Mark Chase (NetCasters President), and Debbie Pease (SD Right to Life and Birth Matters Lobbyist). A BIG shout-out of appreciation to my wife, Jan, for baking our main course for the evening – LASAGNA 🙂

It is always a thrill to see Pastors and Ministry Leaders come to the Capitol, the People’s House. So it was great to welcome Pastor Dan Ebbens, of the Aurora Reformed Church, and Dan Hargreaves, past President of the SD Right to Life.

The South Dakota 92nd Legislative Session is well underway and Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 – Recognizing Pornography as Public Health Crisis – was a front and center priority for the Family Heritage Alliance Action. This historic resolution passed unanimously through the South Dakota State Senate (35-0) and House of Representatives (65-0). SCR4 was drafted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. The FHA Action’s lobbyists, Dale Bartscher and Norman Woods, introduced, secured Legislator signatures and promoted this Resolution. The passage of SCR4 would not have happened without the assistance of two highly capable sponsors: Senator Jenna Netherton of Sioux Falls, SD, primed this Resolution and is pictured here with FHA Action Executive Director Dale Bartscher. Representative Taffy Howard of Rapid City, SD, sponsored it on the House floor. These two South Dakota Legislators spoke with a flare of excellence in their

Rapid City Rep. Taffy Howard, House sponsor of SCR4.

designated chambers to the need of passing SCR4. Their passion for this issue won the day.

This SD resolution not only raises awareness about the harm of pornography and the need to protect children from early exposure, but it also serves as a guidepost for leaders concerning possible future policy decisions.

BTW – Have you contacted your Senator and respectfully asked him or her to support SB149 – bill that ensures that faith-based adoption agencies in South Dakota are free to continue placing children and making decisions that are consistent with their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions. The bill prevents the state from coming down with a “heavy hand” on any agency because that agency follows their convictions. TAKE ACTION NOW: To contact your SD Senator today simply click here. SB149 will likely be voted on the SD Senate floor this coming Wednesday, February 22, so we need your HELP NOW!

This week’s Catacomb Caucus was uniquely led by a father/daughter team. Senator Jenna Netherton and Representative Don Haggar inspired us to LOVE out-loud taking as our lead the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:4-9. We have only three devotional morning’s remaining: Feb. 22 – Rep. Isaac Latterell, March 1 – PUC Chris Nelson, and March 8 – Trudy Qualm. If your in the Capitol those days (Wednesdays) then please join us in the Governor’s large conference room from 7:00 – 7:30 a.m.

Author John Maxwell rightly wrote, “Leadership is Influence”. He’s right and by God’s grace the FHA Action’s team of lobbyists, Dale Bartscher, Norman Woods and Ed Randazzo, are endeavoring to exercise that influence. The 92nd Legislative Session is currently considering some 436 bills and resolutions. Please follow the work of the FHA Action by regularly going to www.FHAaction.org and click on ‘Legislative Radar’ to view those bills and/or resolutions we are tracking.

One such bill we are enthusiastically supporting is: SB149: A Faith-Based Adoption Agency Protection Bill

We need your HELP in the passage of SB149 an bill that ensures that faith-based adoption agencies in South Dakota are free to continue placing children and making decisions that are consistent with their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions. The bill prevents the state from coming down with a “heavy hand” on any agency because that agency follows their convictions.

A few of our wonderful SB149 support team members are pictured here and from left to right they are: Norman Woods (FHA Action Lobbyist), Jim Kinyon (West River Catholic Social Services), Senator Alan Solano (Rapid City), Troy Cumings (Bethany Christian Services National Office), Renee Eggebraaten (Bethany Christian Services of Western SD), and Dale Bartscher (FHA Action Lobbyist). Not picture is Representative Steve Haugaard of Sioux Falls and our CWA partners.

TAKE ACTION NOW: To contact your SD Senator simply click here. You may also call the Senate and House Switchboard phone numbers and leave a message: Senate: 605-773-3821; House: 605-773-3851. These numbers are open and available for taking messages from 7:45 a.m. (CST) until one hour after session concludes for the day. SB149 will likely be voted on the SD Senate floor this coming Wednesday, February 22.

Author John Maxwell rightly wrote, “Leadership is Influence”. He’s right and by God’s grace the FHA Action’s team of lobbyists, Dale Bartscher, Norman Woods and Ed Randazzo, are endeavoring to exercise that influence. The 92nd Legislative Session is currently considering some 436 bills and resolutions. Follow the work of the FHA Action by regularly going to www.FHAaction.org and click on ‘Legislative Radar’ to view those bills and/or resolutions we are either supporting or opposing.

SB149: Faith-Based Adoption Agency Protection Bill

We need your HELP in the passage of SB149 an bill that ensures that faith-based adoption agencies in South Dakota are free to continue placing children and making decisions that are consistent with their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions. The bill prevents the state from coming down with a “heavy hand” on any agency because that agency follows their convictions.

TAKE ACTION NOW: To contact your SD Senator simply click here. SB149 will likely be voted on the SD Senate floor this coming Wednesday, February 22.

An adoption agency in South Dakota that operates in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions is protected, in the passage of SB149, from adverse action in the following ways:

The State may not:
-Alter their tax exemption
-Financially penalize them
-Limit their ability to place children
-Alter the terms or conditions of a contract or license
-Deny a contract or license

SB149 does not:
-Allow for discrimination because of race, ethnicity, or national origin
-Allow actions otherwise deemed illegal
-Allow an agency to place a child into a dangerous situation

What Faith-Based Adoption Agency Leaders Are Saying:

“Catholic Social Services supports the Adoption Agency Protection Act because we would like to continue to offer our adoptive services to families of all faiths in a manner consistent with our long standing religious traditions as we have for over 40 years. We know that this bill is needed because approximately five Catholic Charities nationally have had to cease offering adoption services because of changes in administrative rules or new laws at their state or city level. Some other Catholic Charities are withdrawing from adoptive services in states as their capacity to work within their confines of their religious beliefs were challenged either by law or rules at the state level.”

– Jim Kinyon
Executive Director, West River Catholic Social Services

“New Horizons Adoption Agency, Inc. supports this bill. Faith based agencies supply a great service to the faith-based community. This bill allows a faith based agency to continue that service without fear of compromising the foundation of the agency or the community it serves.”

– Marlys Ubben
Executive Director, New Horizons Adoption Agency Inc.

“SB 149 is consistent with how the state of South Dakota has for decades partnered with private agencies to find homes for children. It doesn’t restrict anyone from participating in foster care or adoption, but it does preserve for faith-based agencies the freedom to be faithful to our convictions while partnering with government agencies in supporting vulnerable children and families in crisis. We are hopeful that South Dakota lawmakers will continue to honor religious freedom and conscience as it has in the past.”

Today I’d like to take you back to last Saturday, February 11. I had the honor of attending the South Dakota Republican State Central Committee Meeting in Pierre. I carried a PROXY for a voting member and thus was able to participate in this wonderful grassroots people’s effort. The Pierre Chamber of Commerce room was full and overflowing with enthusiastic patriots one and all. I was impressed as Chairman Pam Roberts called on my friend Dan Hargreaves, of the SD Right To Life, to open the meeting in prayer and the reciting of our Pledge of Allegiance.

Dan Lederman & Dale Bartscher

We congratulate Dan Lederman, pictured here with me, for his being nominated to and winning the right and privilege in leading the South Dakota Republican Party as it’s newly elected Chairman. Author John Maxwell has rightly written: “Leadership is Influence!” May Chairman Lederman be wise and discerning as he now leads the SD GOP with a flare of excellence.

This week was a busy week at the Capitol and joining the excitement was the Annual TeenPact Class at the Capitol. Some 43 Middle and High School students from across the state converged on the Capitol for a week of learning and building relationships that will last a lifetime. Then another 44 children flooded the Capitol for TeenPact’s one-day event for 8 to 12 year olds.

Norman Woods, Joanne Woods and Dale Bartscher

FHA Lobbyist Norman Woods was a TeenPact Student and rightly so since his mother, Joanne Woods, is the South Dakota TeenPact State Coordinator. Joanne brings an excitement, passion and a flare of excellence to this needed and awesome program.

Norman and I bookended the week as I was asked to address these TeenPact students in their opening ceremony and Norman had the honored of addressing the students during their Graduation ceremony.

Mark Howard, Dale Bartscher and Norman Woods

It was a treat to stop and visit every so briefly with Mark Howard of Rapid City. Mark is Representative Taffy Howard’s husband. We are so grateful to the many spouses, like Mark, who sacrifice much for their mates to serve the people of South Dakota during the Legislative session.